Damien Law: This 21-Year-Old Food Entrepreneur Wants You To Ignore The Noise In Your Head And Go After Your Late-Night Dreams
28 Jun 2023 · 36 min
Interview between host Stacey Lauren and entrepreneur Damien Law about his brand Effing Good Snacks, a "better-for-you" late-night snacking company. Damien describes his path from an early drop-shipping/yoga products business (2019–2020) to founding Effing Good Snacks in October 2020, formulating mini almond-butter chocolate-chip cookies (1 g sugar, 2 g net carbs; almonds as first ingredient) and running pre-orders (began Jan 2021). He discusses supply-chain delays during COVID, shipping the first 450 pre-orders recently, using transparency and "building in public" to retain customers, TikTok growth (first TikTok video posted Dec 24, 2021) that helped build a ~6,000-person waitlist, and lessons on confidence, momentum, and surrounding yourself with supportive peers.
Questions this episode answers
October 2020
January 2021
450 pre-orders (shipped two weeks before the interview)
Approximately 1 gram of sugar and 2 grams net carbs; almonds are the first ingredient.
December 24, 2021
Chapters
I do really believe 100% from every part of me that everyone has the capacity to be able to do the things that they want and not to be held back by the mental baggage that's in our head that we want to push through.
Welcome to the do the Thing podcast. In each episode, we get down and personal with people who go after the things they want to make all their wildest dreams come true. Join us as we unveil and dissect a formula for what it takes to do the thing. Here is your host, Stacy Lauren.
Hey, everyone. Welcome to the do the Thing podcast. This is Stacy Lauren. So you guys have a really special treat today. I have a guest on who has been making waves all throughout TikTok and everywhere else. You could see him through different groups and honestly, everywhere I look, I feel like I see his name lately. And he recently launched a cookie brand and I remember ordering the cookies, thinking, well, I'm going to just support these, you know, support the brand because we're part of some similar groups. And then when the cookies came, opened them up and oh my gosh, they were delicious. So anyway, just wanted to have him on so he could talk to you guys about how he does the thing, so. Hey, Damien.
What's up, Stacey? Thanks for having me on. Excited to be here and thanks for supporting. I'm glad you like the cookies. You know, it passed the Stacy test.
Yeah, they. They passed the Stacy test and one of my kids tried them too and like them as well. So that's. That's good too.
I'm glad.
Yeah. So I'd love you to just start off and tell us about your. Your story.
Yeah, definitely. So kind of give you a little backstory, background story about effing. So the brand I'm working on, it's called Effing Good Snacks. We're a better for you nighttime snacking company. And what we're really out to do is that, you know, if you're a late night snacker, you know that usually what we eat at night isn't the healthiest. And so we really want to change the stigma around late night snacking by reimagining, you know, the most popular late night junk foods into. Into healthier options. And, you know, that could also help you sleep better. So the first product we're coming out with are mini almond butter chocolate chip cookies. So they have like 1 gram of sugar, 2 gram net carbs. And we use the first ingredient in our recipe is actually almonds. A lot of people don't know this, but eating Almonds before bed is actually really good for sleep because they have like a bunch of like magnesium and melatonin in them and stuff like that. And that's kind of how I got started working on this business. So.
That's amazing. So you pretty much just created this brand and it sounds like you really know it too. It's like you're, you're, you're getting into the, the whole nitty gritty of everything that it does. And I didn't actually realize how good almonds were for you before you went to sleep.
Yeah, the reason why I found that out is because, you know, I'm a late night snacker. I love having like Chips Ahoy before bed before I started this. And, you know, eating sugar before bed is not the best idea, but you just get cravings for it. So I did it anyways. So I was looking for like healthier options. And when you go on Google, you type in like healthier late night snacks. All that pops up are like almonds, Greek yogurt, you know, tart cherries, and, you know, who really wants to eat that night. So I just had this idea where we could like take cookies, nostalgic foods, make them healthier, taste the same, and could actually like help promote better sleep. So that's kind of how I came up with the entire idea. And it's been a work in progress. I started this, I think it was October 2020, and we just shipped out the first 450 pre orders like two weeks ago. Literally two weeks ago. It's been a long journey.
Yeah. And I want to get more into that because I've been sort of following it along on your email list. It's been amazing the way that you've been able to keep up engagement with people. So I'm just wondering, so how did you even come up with the idea of wanting to start a business?
You know, I, I've asked myself this question, like, a lot and I think it really, like ever since I was little because I've, I've never really been good at school, never was a good student. And so, like, ever since I was a little kid, I knew I wanted to do something. I was a guy, you know, with the lemonade stand and all that. But it wasn't until like I graduated high school. So I'm, I'm 20, I'm 21 now. So when I graduated high school, I was 18, went to college for about a semester and just realized it wasn't for me. So I just decided to take the leap. I dropped out really had no plan, didn't really know what I was going to do until a friend of mine, his name's Ben, he started his own kind of like drop shipping business. And so that was kind of like my first exposure into the world of brand building. Starting a business, all that. He gave me my first book, Rich Dad, Poor Dad. I'm sure a lot of us have read that, relate to that, but yeah, that's when I started my first business when I was a freshman in college. It was a yoga company. So we just sold like random products like yoga blocks, yoga mats, meditation cushions, and all that. And that was kind of like my first, my first involvement. And that I did for about a year. So from 2019 to 2020 is when I did that. So that, that definitely taught me a lot. And yeah, that kind of propelled me for. So after about a year I, I started, I started burning out because. Because I don't do yoga personally. And it was really hard for me to do something I didn't really care about. So after about a year I sat down, I scrapped that idea and just really thought to myself, like, hey, what do I really want to do? So I sat down with a piece of paper, wrote down three main things. I still have that piece of paper taped to my wall. So three things were like, do I see myself doing this for the next five years? Is this something that I personally struggle with? And is this something that really annoys me? And is it a problem that a lot of people have? So I just sat down, wrote those three things out, and started just like brainstorming different ideas until Effinga Snacks was born.
That's unbelievable. So where did you even get that idea to do that?
So that's why I think the first business I started was so important for me to get to where I am now. It's because I know what I wanted and I know what I didn't want. So the reason why I stopped that business was a. It wasn't something I was interested in. It was, you know, I don't do yoga. So that was a huge criteria because that made me, I feel super. Not unhappy, but not motivated to do the work. So I knew that whatever I do next, it has to be something that I personally really enjoy and can see myself doing for the. For the next five years. So it was really just questions that I wrote down from what I've experienced with my first business that I don't want to do for the. For the next one, if that makes sense.
Oh, totally. Yeah. And so when you started the yoga business. Really just what happened was you had your friend who was doing drop shipping. You probably found a good deal with yoga mats or something. And then how did you decide to even start that and not just kind of go the normal path and get a job? What made you do the thing with that business?
I think the main reason was just like, I didn't really have an option. So I started that right after I dropped out of college. So it was either that a. Or it was, you know, to get a job or something. And I didn't really want to do that. So I think when your back is against the wall, like, really cool stuff could happen. And that was kind of like my thinking. It's like, okay, let me just try this out. Let's see if it works. If not, okay, I'll just, you know, figure something out next. But I just didn't want to say, like, I never tried it. You know what I mean? So that's why I kind of got started with that.
Yeah, I love it. And so do you mind if I ask, was that first business successful?
We did about. We did about like 15 grand a month. Nothing, like, too crazy, but it wasn't like a total dud.
Yeah, yeah, it was a really good starter, like you said.
Yeah, I, like, a lot of people ask me, like, is this like your first thing? Like, and I say, like, no. Like, I think having a failed. Not failed, but like a previous business that really got you started is so important because it really, you know what you want and you know what you don't want, and you figure stuff along the way. So, for example, if I didn't start that first business, then I wouldn't even know what, you know, fulfillment or like, marketing or any of that stuff would be for effing good snacks. So would it have taken me way longer to start effing good snacks if I didn't have the first one? Probably. So I think, like, those experiences, you know, Phil, as you go along, are so important. And I would highly recommend someone to just, you know, take the leap, start something even if it fails, then take it as a learning experiment rather than a failure.
Yeah, that's. That's great. That's really good advice. So did you, when you started the first one, had you gone through, like, how did you figure out the logistics? Did you go through any kind of learning? Was it trial by fire?
Yeah, so. So for the first one, my friend Ben, he. I told you, like, he started, like, drop shipping and stuff like that. He also started, like, selling on Amazon. So he paid for a course and he was a nice, he's a super nice guy. Let me, let me get the course at the same time. So I just ran through that and just started doing the thing. So it was just a bunch of like watching a bunch of videos. So I'd kind of like take you back. So what I did was the classic reach out to a bunch of like suppliers, you know, get quotes and then get a sample, ship the product, you know, and then sell on Amazon all that good stuff. So that's kind of like how I got my first start.
Gotcha.
Yeah.
So really educated yourself on what you were supposed to do.
Yeah, yeah, exactly. And just kind of like figuring it out as I go along. So just, you know, one video, check that off, move on to the next, check that off, and so on and so forth.
Yeah. Okay, so as we're talking, I'm uncovering your formula and then we're gonna switch over to effing good snacks. Cause I'm gonna see since it's more recent if there's ew. So. And you did use the words do the thing. I don't know if you did that purposely.
I did. You did.
I love it. Yeah. You were talking about doing the course. You're like, I did the thing pointing that out. So yeah. So it sounds like, and this is a common one that a lot of people have and you know, it seems like so common knowledge, but it's really not for a lot of people and that's why I think it's important to point it out. But that idea of like educating yourself is, seems like one piece of your formula with doing the thing. Because there's some people that are like too ego driven or too like, I know everything, you know, to like learn about something. They, they take that stance of like, I already know it, I'm not going to learn it, you know, but it sounds like you're just really open minded and taking the information in. So that could be.
And I think like just being super open minded and actually doing thing. Because I think the more you do something, the more confidence you get in yourself. So you know, you go down the checklist, you check things off, you build more confidence in yourself as you're doing it. The more confidence you build in yourself, the more belief you have that, oh shit, I can actually like do the thing.
Yeah. And I like that you, you just brought up confidence because I've had that come up a few times too. And it sounds like you're really relating confidence to not something you were born with. You had to flex that muscle and use the.
Oh, a hundred percent. 100. I think. I don't think anyone's born with confidence. I think confidence is a muscle that you have to train yourself to do as you're. As you're moving along. So I don't think anyone's really born with confidence. It's something. It's something earned.
Yeah, I love that. Did you find you do that in other areas of your life too? I mean.
Yeah, like, I think I'm a big believer in, like, how you do one thing is how you do everything. So I think, like, you know, even if you wake up early, you go to the gym, that's like, checking it off. So the more you kind of do that, the more you believe and the more confidence you can build in yourself that, oh, I can actually, like, do this. So the more you kind of, like, do something and the more like, wins or even losses you get just kind of keeps moving you forward along the path. So I think it really applies to, like, every area of your life, not just. Not just business.
Yeah. Yeah, it's so true. Okay, cool. So I'm. I'm adding confidence onto your list. And actually it might even be understanding the concept of flexing that muscle of whatever it is, you know, and kind of like what you said with the first business is how use that as, like, a way to, like, kind of get the kinks out for how to do the second.
Yeah, that. That was like the stepping stone. I think it was like the stepping stone for me to build effing good snacks. I don't think if I. I think if I didn't start that first, the yoga business, I wouldn't have started effing good snacks. I don't think I would have.
Yeah.
Yeah. I just don't think I would have the confidence and the knowledge to be able to. To just go. Go through with it. Because starting a food company and starting a. A yoga company is two very different beasts. Food company is, like, a hundred times harder.
Yeah, that's a really good point. It's like you. You already learned a lot of the mistakes in the first one, so then that's huge of a learning curve.
Yeah, I mean, there's still a huge learning curve, but it would. It just kind of shortened it, like, by like a year. You know what I mean?
Yeah. Yeah, that's great. So, okay. And then it sounds like another piece of your formula, and I'm trying to think of a way to verbalize it, so I'm going to say it and then you tell me if you have a better way.
Okay.
When you said, because this has come up before too, with another interview, is having no option, like your back was against the wall, like this was going to happen, like you didn't really have a choice.
So.
Yeah, can you elaborate on that? Because I mean, there's always choices, right? Like you could always get a job. And I'm not saying, I'm not putting this as a negative. I'm just saying what the listeners might be thinking is like in their mind, they're getting a job. Not them, not everyone, but you know what I mean? You verbalize how you were able to come up with that statement.
Yeah. So my parents, so I've been living by myself since I was 15. So I used to live in Hong Kong. My parents sent me to school when I was 15. Their, their whole plan for me was to, to go to school here, finish high school, go to go to college and then graduate, get a good job. And So I was 18 at the time. You know, 18 year olds are stubborn kids. I just really wanted to prove to my parents that I can, I can do this my way. And so when I say like my, my back was against the wall, I meant like it was either this works out or, or, you know, I'll figure something out next. Because there was no chance I was going to get a job. Because then at the time my thinking was like, if I do get a job, it means like, you know, my parents kind of won. So it was either this is going to work or I'm just going to keep trying until it does. And I think like, when that happens, it's kind of like a blessing in disguise because I think when that happens, it really pushes you to do things you wouldn't expect you would do in normal situations. And I think magic, magical things can happen when, when you're really left with no choice.
Yeah. Yeah. That's amazing.
Yeah.
Another piece is what it sounds like is the part and because believe me, there's a lot of people that don't do this. So I love it when I find someone that does is that, you know, it's great to be in hustle culture, right? And to like be able to move, move, move, but to actually do what you did and just take a minute and go, wait, do I even want to do this? You know, and like, and have that kind of checklist of the. Do I see myself doing this for five years? Like that thing that you did where you still have it on your wall?
Yeah.
And it sounds like that might be a piece of you doing the thing is checking in with yourself.
Yeah. And I think it was. It's. It's so diff. It's so different. If you saw me, like, two years ago versus now, I'm like a completely different person. And when I say, like, completely different person, I mean, like, I was. I was still working hard when I started my first business, but I was working hard out of, like, hustle and, like, fear of, you know, what if this doesn't work out? Because it wasn't something I truly enjoyed doing. But for effing good snacks, I love what I do. I like. I believe in this so much, and I'm, like, doing it out of, like, pure enjoyment and excitement. And I think, like, those two bring totally different energies when you work. And I think, like, energy in how you work really dictates, like, what. What kind of work you get done, how you feel about it. And for the first one, I was doing it when I don't enjoy it, when I'm, you know, stressed about everything, not doing something I like. But then for effinga snacks, it's something I love doing. And I think it's just like, I love what I do now, but I. Back then it was like, I have to, like, make this work or, you know, I'm screwed. So it's like very different energies. You know what I mean?
Yeah. I think that's amazing too, that you're recognizing that, like, what's giving you energy versus what's taking it away.
Yeah. And I think, like, the way even when you, like, talk about your business, energy shows. Right. And I think, like, people can see that. And when you're talking about it from a place of, like, true, truly excited and truly joyful, people understand, like, where you're coming from and can see can, you know, catch on with that energy versus the stressed place.
Yeah. Yeah, I love that.
Yeah.
So, okay, so that's kind of me uncovering your formula with the yoga business. Do you think that with epping good snacks, was there anything else that you had to do? Because it sounds like you had a lot more complication. I don't want to put that word in there, but a lot more.
No, trust me, it was. It was a lot of complications, a.
Lot of stuff you had to deal with. So I'm sure there had to be some more things that you had to deal do to keep pushing forward. Because, I mean, at any point with doing anything, it's easy to just say, okay, you know, I'm done. Right. But like continuing to power through and you know, it's like, I mean, I feel it and I'm just a bystander, you know, simply on your email list, like, I feel like there's just this momentum around you of just like, of like a power full force, you know.
Yeah. Yeah. So we, I started this business like October 2020. Originally. I thought it was gonna be like six months to formulate and then get it on mass, mass production. Turns out we started the business during peak Covid. So that was when like supply chain issues, long lead times, everything you can possibly imagine was going wrong. So that turned out to be taking like a year longer than what we expected. So it, it was really hard because we, we started taking pre orders from January of 2021. So we've just shipped it out two weeks ago. So people have literally been wait. Some people have literally been waiting for like a year and like three months. But I think something we've did and it's something we still do and will do for, for the future is I think transparency and honesty is. Is the way forward. And what I mean by that is like every little thing that happens with our business, whether that's good or bad, we tell our audience. So really kind of bringing them along the journey, building in public. And I think like, when someone is emotionally invested into your brand, they're emotionally invested in your journey, they're emotionally invested in your brand. So that's kind of like the day one motto we've always been building with. So we built out like a little email list about like 200 people at the time. So all those 200 people, we would communicate like, hey guys, this is, you know, we get our first sample or hey, you know, something hit us unexpectedly, we're going to be like delayed for three to four months. And I think by doing this, people really understand and sympathize with you. So to year year to date, we've only had like two refunds from pre orders. And everyone else has stayed for, for the journey. And they see like me just updating them, being honest, showing the progress, showing the momentum, which I think is super important. And because people like seeing people doing things, I think if people see that there's active momentum, they kind of want to join in on that momentum. That's worked out really well for us.
Yeah, and you do a really good job at that. And then I was wondering too. So how did you, how did you keep yourself motivated during all of this?
That's a good question. I actually haven't Thought about that, I'd say, how do I keep myself motivated? I think what we're building here is like, truly awesome. And it's. It's never been done before. No one's talking about late night snacking as a. As a category. You know, we all know we shouldn't drink coffee before bed or look at our phones too close before bed. So why isn't same attention brought to our food? And I just think what we're doing is so awesome and I truly believe in it. And I think that's honestly what's been motivating me through even all the tough times, the rough times, the setbacks, and just really seeing what I can do to like, bring this to the best. Because I never want to, you know, even if f and gets next fails, I never want to say to myself, like, oh, I should have done this better or oh, I could have done something, you know, better. I just never want to have like, that kind of thought. So I guess that's kind of what motivates me to keep going.
Yeah, it sounds like another piece of your formula for this business is that vision, like having a big why 100.
Yeah, I think the vision is kind of what carries you forward and just kind of sharing that vision with like, literally anyone that would listen to you. You know, I share that with my email list. I share that with my friends, my girlfriend, you know, family. I'm probably. People are probably sick of me talking about my business by now, but I think it's like that kind of energy that really pushes, you know, you forward and the validation people give you too, when they actually like, eventually try the product. And so it's like momentum after momentum. It's just like stacking one piece on top of the other and just like one by one.
I unfortunately don't go on TikTok, but, but, but I've heard about it and I almost wanted to go to, to like, let's see. But like, I was like, but yeah, do you mind talking about you getting on TikTok and like, what that was like, because that's doing the thing is doing something that's. You really were putting yourself out there in that way, you know?
Yeah, yeah. Like I told you, we were going through like delays, right? So there was really nothing I could do at the time. So I think it was around October of 2021. That was kind of when, like, okay, are we going to get going? You know, are we going to start producing now? So we were just kind of like waiting to see like, what's going to happen. And so between like October and December of 2021, I was just like at a standstills. I just feel like nothing was ever happening. And if you're listening to this and you know you have a business that is literally the worst feeling in the world, feeling like nothing is happening. And that is kind of when all the, the doubt creeps in. So I just kind of like picked myself up, talked to a couple friends and you know, one of my friends said, you know, TikTok is absolutely killing it for them right now. So I was like, why not? I know, might as well do something when I can't do anything at the moment. So I started. I posted my first video on TikTok December 24th of 2021. Luckily, my first video did really well and that kind of carried the momentum till now. TikTok is absolutely insane. I think anyone who's watching this or listening to this needs to get on TikTok, Stacy, you included. It's just, I think it's a once in a lifetime opportunity. It's kind of like how Instagram was back in like 2012, when you can literally post something and hundreds of thousands, if not millions of people can see it. And I think it's really leveling the playing fields for small businesses because no matter if you have one follower or a hundred thousand followers or a million followers, as long as you pump out good content, potentially millions of people can see it and it's all free. Right. And it's something that worked really well for me because I posted that first video December 24th and we, that helped us build a 6,000 person waiting list for the business and we launched pre orders with the, with the waiting list and that's, that's gone pretty well too. So.
Yeah, so it's a good choice.
It's a somewhat good choice.
Yeah. So you mentioned. Yeah, just a lot of the challenges that you were having. I'm just wondering. And actually I'm kind of now broadening it just in terms of you doing the thing in general. What do you think's been the hardest thing for you?
That's an easy one, I think, like comparison for sure. And what I mean by that is like you can see someone like 10 steps ahead of you and you, you compare yourself to that person's progress and, and then you just feel like, oh, like what do I do now? And I think that's, that's been one of the biggest things I've had to overcome myself is comparing my progress with others and kind of just like Toning it down, thinking to myself, like, listen, you just gotta, like, do the thing. Put one foot in front of the other, stop looking at the progress of other people. And it's obviously harder, easier said than done, but it's. It's one of the hardest, hardest things that I've had to, like, like, go through and, like, just, like, overthinking everything. You know what I mean, Stacy?
Oh, yeah, I definitely know what you mean. I'm wondering, like, so when you are in that overthinking mode, what is the best way to get through that?
I think that, honestly, I think the best way is just to, like, do one thing that could, like, push the needle. And that kind of ties back to the whole confidence thing. It's because if you. If you do the thing, whatever it is that moves the needle, it builds confidence in yourself to do the thing over and over again. So as long as you have momentum on your side, is. Is when I think I don't overthink and compare myself the most, but when I feel like I'm in a standstill, that's kind of when all the. The junk kind of builds up in the head.
Yeah. So I'm glad you brought up that, because I know you mentioned the doubt earlier, which I know that's a thing that happens to a lot of people when you talk to your friends, and that helped you get out of the doubt. And junk is actually. It's funny, I haven't. I told you before we got on that I haven't even, like, shared this podcast yet, and I've got, like, 20 interviews down, but that's literally in my first episode, is how to overcome the junk in your head.
Oh, yeah.
Oh, yeah, for sure. Even I've interviewed a brain expert who, like, kind of helps you work through that, just because I saw that was a. I mean, that was my problem. And then I saw there was a lot of people throughout. That is like, once you can overcome that beast, you know?
Yeah.
Good spot. What's your strategy for that? Is it just that moving one step in front of the other? Do you have other things that you do?
That's mainly been my. My thing. I've been trying, like, you know, I think, like, exercise obviously helps, like, clearing your head, but I think just, like, getting one thing done, just like, one thing, like, literally one thing that moves it forward just by, like, a little. Little bit, helps me kind of get through it.
Yeah, I love that. That's so good.
And have you ever seen that, like, graph where it's, like, it's like an up and down, up and down of like, how like an entrepreneur's day is. It's, oh, yeah, happening. Things are going great, things are failing. Oh, my God, things are going great again. When I first started out, I saw that graph. I mean, my friend sent it to me or something, but I didn't believe them. So. But like, after going through everything, I'm like, that is the most accurate thing I've ever seen in my life. It's like there are periods of times when you feel like absolutely nothing is happening. And it's like those times that really build confidence, like, going back to the confidence thing, those are the times that really build confidence in myself to know that I can. Like just knowing that at one point things are going to get better. And when that thing gets better, it's like the best feeling in the world. You just got to ride that momentum for as long as possible and then it's going to go to a standstill again. Nothing's going to be happening. You got to keep going and then something's going to happen, you know, viral video, whatever it is. So it's just like an up and down, up and down, up and down. And it's. It's one of the hardest things to go through emotionally. And I think just like for me right now, it's just like trying to keep it at, at a, at a middle as much as possible. Like not too high, but, like, not too low.
Yeah. And then learning if it does go high and low, learning how to, to ride that better.
You think having like a really strong support system really helps you? I'm really lucky. I have, you know, my girlfriend and I have, like, friends that, you know, do the same thing as I do. So having a really good support system, especially people who are going through what you're going through and understand all the, all the shit that is going on so that you can actually talk to them about it is really important. And it's something like I highly recommend people do and it's something that really, really helps me out.
Yeah, I think I'm going to add that to your formula is those. You know that saying with the five people that you're around, it sounds like you're really careful with, like, who you're surrounding yourself with.
Yeah, definitely, Definitely. And I think that's also a big reason why building in public is so, is so important. So I'm on. So the main two platforms I really use are like, LinkedIn and TikTok. So TikTok is more for the brand Side. But I also, if you, you know, check out my LinkedIn, I also kind of document the journey of what I'm doing and I've gotten a lot of like connections and you know, cool people, supportive people that I can like lean on whenever I have questions. So as you like build in public, people see what you're up to, you know, people like seeing people doing things, that's also been a super powerful way for me to, to find people to, to lean on when I have, you know, going through those strides.
Yeah, I like that.
Yeah.
So you've given such great advice. I am actually wondering if you had one piece of advice and just one for people on how to do the thing, what would it be?
That's a, that's a hard one. That's a hard question. Just one. Okay. It's, it's a cliche one but I think it's like so important. It's like you really have to believe in yourself that you can do it because what you like think you do and then what you do, you believe. Right. I think that's, that's how it goes. Just like having a deep desire to believe in yourself, to really truly know that, you know, as long as I keep going, believe in my, my idea, something, something's going to happen. So whatever it is you want to do, I think pick something you love, solve a problem you personally solve, you put you personally experience and just believe in yourself.
Well, is there anything that I didn't ask you that you wish I asked you?
That's a great question. I'm stealing that one for sure. I think, I think we've talked about everything I want to talk about and I just kind of want to touch on one thing. Like if I haven't said this already, please, please, please start sharing your journey on TikTok. Because you never know if like one video can change your life. Because literally my, the first video I posted it was like why I dropped out of college, you know, to start my, to start my business. That kind of just like propelled nothing that snacks it to where it is right now. Like we get all, we get like all our pre orders and stuff sales from TikTok, all organic and it's just something I've never seen before. And especially with the day and age with like paid ads and you know, rising costs of that, I think TikTok is, is going to be huge in like shaping the next brands of, you know, tomorrow. And I just think like also creator led brands are going to be something to watch out for if you look at like creators who started brands like Mr. Beast, Emma Chamberlain, you know, Logan, Paul Nelk. They all have super massive audiences with a successful brand. And I think that's also going to be how it is going to be in the next five years. Creators who share their journey, share from day one what they're building, you know, providing value and then kind of like, like having that under like the personal brand in front of, you know, your business. And it's also, you know, you see that with like Elon, with, with, with Tesla. And I think that's going to be how more brands are going to build. Especially if you want to survive in the long run for the next like five to 10 years, it's going to build. So I'm like a very strongly believing in that right now.
Yeah, I'm wondering, so where do you get, where do you get most of your knowledge from? Are you a book reader? Are you watching videos? Where is that coming from?
My. My knowledge.
Yeah. Like, I'm hearing like, I don't even know Mr. B. Like, I'm hearing you talk about some of the people and I'm like, oh my gosh, I wonder where you're learning everything from.
You know who Mr. Bliss is?
No.
He's like, only like the biggest YouTuber ever.
See, that's what it is. Yeah.
Yeah. So if you, you should, you should look him up after.
Okay.
Joe Rogan is.
Yes, I do know who Joe Rogan.
Did a podcast with Joe Rogan, I think like a month ago. It's a, it's a great listen. But basically he's just like all the, all the names I mentioned above, they're like creators who, who launch really successful brands. And the way I just kind of learned about it was kind of. Yeah, I'm on TikTok a lot. I think YouTube is a great place. One of the best books I've ever read. On side note, on building a business is called Traction by Gino Something. That's one of the best books I've ever read on kind of like setting the foundations on starting a business. So. Yeah.
Yeah. Well, why don't you. I'm so excited for everyone to order some cookies from you and I've already, I think I, I don't remember if I said this in the beginning, but I've already ordered and I've already reordered, so I am. Yeah, I know. I'm loving them. So, yeah, share where everyone can find out about you, your journey and get some cookies.
Yeah. So the web or brand website is just www.effingoodsnacks.com it's e f f I n good snacks.com and if you guys have any questions for me, I'm always, you know, willing to help out. You can just reach out to me on like LinkedIn. It's just Damien Law is my name and if you want to check out our tick tock, it's also my name. It's just Damian Law. 1, 2, 3. But yeah, that's how, that's how you find me.
Very cool. Well, thank you so much for doing this.
I really, so much for having it. I really appreciate was fun. This was fun.
Yay.
Thanks for listening to the do the Thing podcast. We hope you enjoyed the show. But even more, we hope you'll be inspired to do the Thing. Do you have a burning question on Doing the Thing that you'd like answered? How about an inspiring do the Thing story of your own that you'd like to share? We'd love to hear all about it. Just leave us a voice message at dothething callcast co or email us@helloothethingpodcast.com.
More from Stacey
Stand Up. Speak Up. Show Up. How Deborah Drummond Built a 1,200-Woman Global Media Movement
From Notes App to Published Author: Avery Brenna Crumrine on Turning Intention Into Action
Why Not Me? Geetha Sreedhar on Startup Exits, Bold Pivots, and Living a Life of Impact
The Why Not Today? Podcast - Season 3 - Episode 9 with Stacey Lauren, Podcast Host and Community Builder, Do The Thing
Emotional Resilience in Business: Insights from Stacey Lauren on Living a Purposeful Life